119 O.C. schools rank as state’s best on API

May 5, 2011

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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First grade teacher Elsa Lopez-Lievanos encourages students to use body language to express sounds during a reading class at Carl Harvey Elementary School in Santa Ana. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

First grade teacher Elsa Lopez-Lievanos encourages students to use body language to express sounds during a reading class at Carl Harvey Elementary School in Santa Ana. JEBB HARRIS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

The top 22

These schools scored perfectly in the statewide and similar schools comparisons:

About 21 percent of all Orange County public schools earned the highest possible ranking on the state's latest Academic Performance Index, an achievement that virtually mirrors last year's results, according to figures released Thursday.

But, surprisingly, local schools also scored lower than usual in a second measure that rates campuses against those with similar student populations.

The API is a composite of standardized test scores and other measures used by the state to evaluate student achievement. Schools were judged on a scale of 1 to 10 on both measures, with 10 being the best score, based on their 2010 API test scores.

In Orange County, 119 of 562 schools received a top ranking of 10 in the statewide comparison. About 50 percent of all local schools earned a score of 8 or higher.

Just 13 schools scored a 1, the worst possible rank.

"The results are a reflection of the dedicated hard work of our teachers, support staff, and administrators. Educators are doing a remarkable job in light of the financial challenges and funding cuts we continue to face," county Superintendent William Habermehl said.

In the previous year, 120 schools received a 10, and 13 schools received a 1.

SIMILAR SCHOOLS RANK

The state's similar schools ranking measures each campus against 100 schools serving similar populations.

Fifty-eight schools received a similar-schools top score of 10, while 32 schools earned a ranking of 1. Last year, 82 schools received a similar-schools score of 10, and 20 schools earned a score of 1.

Habermehl said his staff was reviewing the data to determine why fewer local schools reached scores of 10.

"Academic achievement for schools in general continues to improve each year," he said. "Our schools are not declining. They may just not be improving at the same rate as others."

State Department of Education officials said the formulas used to identify the most similar schools were adjusted slightly because some of the data previously used was not collected this year.

The missing data includes information on average class sizes and on teacher credentialing. State officials said even minimal changes in formulas could significantly shift how schools are compared to each other.

TOP PERFORMERS

Twenty-two county schools earned a 10 in both the statewide and similar-schools rankings. Just two campuses scored a 1 in both categories.

“This is a confirmation of all the hard work of the teachers and our students,” said Lisa Livernois, the school’s principal. “It’s always exciting to see that we are a 10/10 school. But it also encourages us to not rest on our laurels. We constantly have to strive to become a better school.”

Educators say the API rankings are an important accountability tool because they let the public know how schools in their communities are doing in comparison with other schools in the state as well as in comparison with schools possessing similar socioeconomic characteristics.

"This is constructive information that provides parents, schools, educators, and the general public valuable insight into how schools are performing when measured against others," state Superintendent Tom Torlakson said in a prepared statement.

Besides the rankings, the state also released target scores for schools to reach when the 2010 API figures are out this summer.

Schools with an API score of less than 800 are expected to make moderate gains each year until they reach the 800 benchmark. Schools with an 800 score or higher are not given targets for growth.

About 65 percent of campuses countywide already have an API score of 800 or better. Statewide, just 40 percent have reached an 800 score.

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